VET Organisations

AVETRA was born through a grant made available by NCVER to start a VET researcher’s association. The links between AVETRA and NCVER are strong and mutually beneficial, while each organisation has a specific and related agenda and strategy for the VET research field.

Women in Adult & Vocational Education (WAVE)

WAVE is a national network of women involved in VET, adult education and the broad field of work-related education and training. WAVE provides seminars & workshops, research, policy advocacy and advice, as well as networking on an international, national and state basis. They are supported within each state by local representation that in turn contributes collaboratively to national events and governance.

WAVE was formed in 1987, the first and only national and autonomous non-government organisation for Australian women in the adult, community and vocational education and training sector. For the first 14 years they were called the Network of Women in Further Education. (NOW in FE)

Adult Learning Australia (ALA)

Adult Learning Australia (ALA) is the national peak body for the Adult and Community Education field/s. We are a not-for-profit entity with both organisational and individual members in all States and Territories who reflect the diversity of adult and community education.

ALA is primarily funded by a project grant from the Department of Industry, membership dues, subscriptions and project revenues. In 2014, we celebrate our 54th year.
What is Adult and Community Education?

In Australian policy terms, ACE has two distinct meanings. ACE refers to adult learning programs that are generally non-formal and non-vocational and usually have no prerequisites. ACE also refers to a sector of not for profit local community based organisations who offer adult learning programs.

ALA advocates for both definitions of ACE. We want both good quality programs as well as a strong network of providers. We are also committed to local solutions to community learning needs.
Our vision

Lifelong and Lifewide Learning for All Australians. By “Lifelong Learning” we mean learning beyond school throughout the adult years via the formal education system, in workplaces and through community participation. By “Lifewide Learning” we mean developing the skills and knowledge required to engage in meaningful work, to participate fully as a citizen in a vibrant democracy, to live in harmony in a diverse, multi-cultural and rapidly changing society and to manage ones health and personal wellbeing, particularly in the senior years.
What we do

We advocate at the national level for greater attention to adult and community education both in policy and funding terms.
We advise all levels of government, particularly at a national level through our relationship to the Department of Industry.
We conduct, and disseminate the results of research of relevance to practitioners.
We foster innovative learning methodologies.
We develop and publish adult learning resources.
We convene a national conference in a different Australian location each year.
We unite adult educators, trainers, tutors, learners and organisations from different sectors and locations within the Adult and Community Education space.
We support Adult Learners’ Week, and produce the Adult Learners Week website Visit Adult Learners Week.
We celebrate achievements in adult learning with the Australian Annual Adult Learning Awards
We keep members and others informed through our quarterly e-magazine, Quest, covering issues, events, people, ideas and projects on adult learning.
We publish the Australian Journal of Adult Learning, a highly-respected A rated journal which provides information and analysis of the theory, research and practice of adult education and learning
We present an Australian voice at international forums, including through our membership of the AAACE in the United States, NIACE in the UK, the International Council of Adult Education and Asia South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education (ASPBAE).
We manage a national web based database of Adult and Community Education providers.

History of Adult Learning Australia

The Australian Association of Adult Education (AAAE) was founded at a meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1960. In 1989, AAAE amalgamated with the Australian Association of Community Education to form the Australian Association of Adult and Community Education (AAACE). The name Adult Learning Australia (ALA) was adopted in 1998 to reflect a changing adult education environment. It confirmed the association’s view that the learner is the central focus of our attention, and that learning occurs through informal and non-formal means, as well as through the formal tertiary education and training systems.
Privacy Policy

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA)

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is the peak national body incorporated to represent Australia’s 58 government owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes and university TAFE divisions, and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).

Australia’s TAFE Institute network is the largest and most diverse tertiary education sector in Australia with more than 1000 campuses located across Central Business Districts (CBD), suburban, regional and remote locations, with many institutes offering further services throughout the Asia-Pacific and other offshore regions.

The core business of TDA is supporting our member institutes, leading the advocacy for quality skills in Australia, and managing a range of international education and training projects in cooperation with our institutes.

TAFE Directors Australia was established by TAFE directors in 1998.

TDA’s Mission:

Our Mission is to provide national leadership in the TVET sector through:

• Advocacy

• Research

• Marketing & promotion

• National & international networks

• Business development

Our strategic objectives can be summarised as follows:

“advance vocational education and training policy in Australia
support policy development for improved outcomes for students – domestic and international ? lead the advocacy on funding
promote and support TAFE Institutes as the foremost providers of quality skills training in Australia and abroad
support, expand and where appropriate lead international networks and business opportunities for our members”

In 2009, TDA relocated its National Secretariat to TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute (Ultimo campus). TDA has extensive representation on national and international committees as well as partnerships with government agencies and non-government organisations throughout the world.